We've been saying it for years: of all the disjointed storylines Heroes has focused on over the last two seasons, the most frustrating has been the show's treatment of death.

Characters appear to die, only to resurface later because, hey, they have abilities! (The most obvious case is Tracy.) This diminishes the show's drama. It's difficult to take its supposedly suspenseful stakes seriously if characters never perish.

Now, on the heels of season four, Masi Oka has spoken out in agreement of this assessment.

How should the show treat Hiro this season? Sound off in our Heroes forum!

As various Heroes spoilers have revealed, his character of Hiro will come down with an illness this season. Oka told reporters on a recent conference call that he hopes there is "poetic justice to the storyline," adding:

"I want to make sure we don't cheat death, like we have in the past and not give it the weight that is meant to be."

Well said, Masi. We hope for the very same thing.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.